NYL Youth Team Preview: Round 1

The Adelaide United Youth Team will host Melbourne Victory Youth in Round 1 of the newly revamped Foxtel National Youth League, on Saturday afternoon at the Elite Systems Football Centre.

In an eagerly anticipated first round match, the Reds’ Youth Team will be out for revenge after the Melbourne Victory defeated the Young Reds in their last National Youth League match in March earlier this year.

Head Coach of the Young Reds, Michael Valkanis, believes the team is mentally prepared for the season ahead, however, has emphasised the selection headaches he faces leading up to the first round encounter because of the quality of his side.

“We have been preparing now for a month after having a bit of a break from the NPL State League and the attitude of my players and their efforts have been fantastic leading into this first game,” Valkanis said.

“In saying this, it poses a lot of thinking for the coaching staff in selecting a first eleven for the game because it is a very strong, healthy, and fit team with a mindset ready to go.

“Everyone’s ready and raring to go, but that’s the challenge of the coaching staff, to pick a capable first eleven to start off the National Youth League season with a good performance”

In looking at the opposition, Valkanis knows quite well how the Victory Youth like to play, however, he is adamant that his side will need to bring their best to compete and override their cross-border rivals.

“We’re thinking they will be very similar to last year, nothing would have changed much and that’s the same as us,” he explained.

They’ve got a way that they like to attack and have their own style that they like to defend and press teams.

“As I said, we know exactly what we are up for and they have a very good team who, like us, were also promoted into the National Premier League.

“We know quite a bit about them and we know they are a very good team that’s coached very well and we are expecting it to be a tough opening game.”

Adelaide United Youth Team will face Melbourne Victory Youth Team in Round 1 of the Foxtel National Youth League 2015/16 season on Saturday, 7 November, 2015, at the Elite Systems Football Centre. Kick off is at 3.00pm ACDT.